This past week the Ontario Provincial Police waged the distracted driver campaign it engages in every year. According to the OPP, there are multiple activities that if engaged in while driving, could be considered distracted driving. These include talking on the phone, texting, tending to kids in the back seat, self-grooming and eating, while operating a vehicle. Some studies have found that the danger associated with these activities is the same as driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The OPP indicates where road deaths are concerned in the province, over the course of the past few years, distracted driving is the number one reason. Speed-related crashes are second, followed by seat belt-related and alcohol/drug-related deaths. Despite the fact that approximately 20,000 distracted driving charges have been laid between 2013 and 2015, last year, a total of 69 people in Ontario were killed in road crashes in which distracted driving played a role.
Drivers engaging in distracting behaviors while behind the wheel could cause accidents that hurt people in a variety of different types of situations including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and the occupants of other vehicles on the road. Depending on the circumstances, these individuals could suffer serious injuries that dramatically impact their lives.
If you, a friend or a family member are victims of someone’s negligence and suffering from injuries and losses, contact us to speak to one of our lawyers to know your rights and what steps you should be taking in order to protect your rights for the future.
